The Massage Therapy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the massage profession by funding research and community outreach, is accepting applications for runners who would like to participate in the 2014 Boston Marathon and raise money for the MTF.

Three runners will wear charity bibs provided by John Hancock to the MTF. “John Hancock offers invitational entry bibs–the race numbers that runners would otherwise have to qualify for, to area nonprofit organizations,” reads a statement on the MTF’s website (www.massagetherapyfoundation.org). “These bibs provide their nonprofit partners with an active event to rally around, to gain new supporters, and, most importantly, to raise a significant amount of money for their causes.”

In 2013, the MTF’s team of Kathy Borsuk, co-owner of Hillsborough Massage Therapy LLC; Les Sweeney, president of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals; and Tom Heidenberger, president and owner of Bon Vital’ Inc., raised $51,120 for the MTF. None of the team members crossed the finish line, however, due to two bombs placed by terrorists that exploded near the finish line. The bombs killed three people and injured more than 260 others.

Qualifications for the 2014 team include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;

• Must be capable of completing the marathon (26.2 miles) in six hours or less;

• Must be able to pay the $325 entry fee and any of your own training expenses;

• Must raise at least the minimum $5,000 of behalf of the MTF.